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EA To Shut Down Many Online Servers For Sports Titles

With time, everything becomes obsolete. In the world of electronics, it seems to happen a lot faster than in any other industry.

According to GossipGamers, EA has revealed they'll be shutting down many of their online servers for existing sports games. This will happen on February 2 and encompass the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC platforms. But one item on the list has ruffled a few feathers, especially those who are concerned that EA will make a habit of yanking servers about a year and a half after a particular title releases: Madden NFL 09 will be going offline on February 2, along with a bunch of older games. Now, obviously, EA wants to give people incentive to pick up Madden NFL 10 if they haven't already, and shutting down the servers on the older edition should offer some incentive. Some may consider this to be a little manipulative, though, seeing as how many titles stay online for more than a few years. Other games on the list, like the 2007 installments, make perfect sense. But even NCAA Football 09 is there, which means that after about a year with any given entry, you'll have to start watching the calendar to see when the online servers will disappear. Well, Madden fans probably buy the newest game every year in August, anyway, right?

The only question concerns other EA productions, and other games from other publishers that have popular online multiplayer. Some people get pretty attached to certain yearly releases...

Same here World. I used to buy them when I had multiple roomates, it made for some really great times. I'm not sure why (maybe getting older) but I just don't have interest in them anymore to the point of buying them every year. The last sports game I bought was Madden 2006.

People buy used sports games? I'll never forget when I brought in my Madden2002 in the summer of 2003 and Gamestop offered me $2. I still have that game, I don't care if I ever play it again but I'm not giving it to them for $2 so they can sell it for 20.

It begs the question we all ask... A game should stand out on its own without the multi-player component... Single Player campaigns should be good enough so you want to play through that title again a few years down the road...

I'm wondering what the data is in regards to populated servers for these old games. If they aren't very populated than I don't see anything wrong with this. If they are quite full then this is just another reason to hate EA.

That sucks. What if you happen to like a particular installment or can't afford to buy the newest version...oh wait, I know, you're screwed. It does seem realistic to turn off servers for titles that are several years old but after a year and a half? That's a bummer for the fans because I'm sure at least some can't afford to upgrade every year.

@LegendaryWolfeh,Yeah, WTF was with them last night???? I hate to say it but my Eagles had their asses handed to them yesterday, & my #$&&^$$ Flyer's have been doing even worse(and I won't even mention the 6'ers).

I'm sure hoping "Da Birds" bounce right back this Saturday & trounce those C-Boys like they've gone in a few past games.

At least my Phillies finally brought the World's Series Championship Trophy back once again to our tri-state area.

How about release a game once and charge a subscription for continued support and maintenance and online gamine support? Oh, wait, that's a subscription model that so many people here think is on the verge of evil itself....

I think that the problem here is that there is no clear promise or guaranteed life of the online play. You're paying for a product that includes the online component. EA is arbitrarily curtailing that service. There needs to be a very clear statement on the packaging of a game with online capability that indicates how long online support will last - specifically when online support is guaranteed to exist until.

dont buy a new game, theres something called gamerfly or another great new invention called the video store ;)10 AUD and you can rent the game for 2 weeks, than take it back.you pay 60 bucks and get one and a half years out of it and your complaining?jesus tap dancing christ!i pay 120 bucks for every game and am lucky to get a week out of them since my ps3 keeps logging me out every 10 minutes with the 8002AD23 error code i dont bother going online.1.5 years is more than enough value for 60 bucks, they cant keep the servers up forever theres new games they need to use them for.

Obviously you can't expect multi-player game servers to remain available forever, they do cost money to buy, maintain and administer. On the other hand, it does seem to be a bit quick to kill servers of a game within two years of launch. If EA wants to do this, then I think it's only fair that EA places a clear service term on the packaging of the game so that we know how long we can expect the game servers to remain operational.

I always buy the new iteration, I just don't feel comfortable playing with outdated rosters. Oh and its FIFA to be precise, I've never bought a Madden game and I don't remember the last time I tried any NBA.

I actually liked Madden 09 the presentation in 10 is cool but I know alot of ppl who still play 09. I stopped getting it every year back in 07-08. And as far as the pic goes I thought Vida was known worldwide, lol I'd reconize that body anywhere!

i actually like madden 09 better than 10 for the fact is that the passing sucks on 10. You need a peyton manning or tom brady just to throw an accurate ball. On 09 it was more easier to pass, but on 10 its like you dont have control were you throw it at no more. It's like they throw these horrible passes that mainly leads to picks etc... and I hate when you try to pass with a slow ass pocket qb and the pass rush just causes you to throw the ball 2-3 yards, and the shoe string tackle sucks ass as well. All the AI has to do is just nip you and you fall easily down WTF!

The only time I use the EA servers is when I need to do a roster update or DNA update in NBA Live..I still play Madden and NCAA football 08 and still amazed that I still see people in those lobbies while I like football I prefer to play the latest installments of NBA Live and NHL games.